Deuteronomy

¹ This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced on the Israelites before his death.

² “The Lord came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; he shone forth from Mount Paran. He came with myriads of holy ones from the south, from his mountain slopes.

³ all the holy ones are in your hand. At your feet they all bow down, and from you receive instruction,

⁴ the possession of the assembly of Jacob.

⁵ when the leaders of the people assembled, along with the tribes of Israel.

⁶ nor his men be few.”

⁷ “Hear, O Lord, the cry of Judah; bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause. Oh, be his help against his foes!”

⁸ “Your Thummim and Urim belong to the man you favored. You tested him at Massah; you contended with him at the waters of Meribah.

⁹ ‘I have no regard for them.’ He did not recognize his brothers or acknowledge his own children, but he watched over your word and guarded your covenant.

¹⁰ and your law to Israel. He offers incense before you and whole burnt offerings on your altar.

¹¹ and be pleased with the work of his hands. Smite the loins of those who rise up against him; strike his foes till they rise no more.”

¹² “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”

¹³ “May the Lord bless his land with the precious dew from heaven above and with the deep waters that lie below;

¹⁴ and the finest the moon can yield;

¹⁵ and the fruitfulness of the everlasting hills;

¹⁶ and the favor of him who dwelt in the burning bush. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers.

¹⁷ his horns are the horns of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even those at the ends of the earth. Such are the ten thousands of Ephraim; such are the thousands of Manasseh.”

¹⁸ “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and you, Issachar, in your tents.

¹⁹ and there offer sacrifices of righteousness; they will feast on the abundance of the seas, on the treasures hidden in the sand.”

²⁰ “Blessed is he who enlarges Gad’s domain! Gad lives there like a lion, tearing at arm or head.

²¹ the leader’s portion was kept for him. When the heads of the people assembled, he carried out the Lord’s righteous will, and his judgments concerning Israel.”

²² “Dan is a lion’s cub, springing out of Bashan.”

²³ “Naphtali is abounding with the favor of the Lord and is full of his blessing; he will inherit southward to the lake.”

²⁴ “Most blessed of sons is Asher; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him bathe his feet in oil.

²⁵ and your strength will equal your days.

²⁶ who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty.

²⁷ and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, ‘Destroy him!’

²⁸ Jacob’s spring is secure in a land of grain and new wine, where the heavens drop dew.

²⁹ Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places.”